Outreach Support Worker

Post Title: Outreach Advocacy Worker (OAW)

Accountable to: Outreach Manager / Assistant Operations manager

Responsible to: Chief Executive Officer

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours of Work: 37.5 hours per week - worked Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Holiday Entitlement: 25 days per annum plus 8 Bank Holidays

Salary Scale: £22,050

**Please note it is essential that you have a car available for work for this role.**

**The Organisation**

Palm Cove Society was established in 2007 to support vulnerable individuals. Since then we have supported refugees, unaccompanied asylum seekers, victims of domestic violence and survivors of modern day slavery.

Currently we support victims of domestic violence and provide support through our outreach service and at our accommodation sites to survivors of modern slavery, supporting clients across West and North Yorkshire and the Humber.

As an organisation we are committed to lifelong learning and all our staff receive regular training in a wide range of topics. We also provide access to an Employment Assistance Programme for all our staff and to well being courses and sessions. The organisation has a structured progression path for staff who wish to develop further.

**Job / Role Summary**

Our Outreach Advocacy Workers act as advocates for our clients who are survivors of modern slavery; supporting them to address and overcome any social, personal, physical or mental health issues they may experience and empowering them with daily routines and activities. The role involves meeting clients in their own accommodation across Yorkshire and the Humber, access to a vehicle is essential for this role.

This may include assisting clients with gaining access to benefit entitlements, health care provision, move on accommodation, educational services and any other identified areas of need or personal goals for the client.

Ultimately the support we provide our residents with leads them to successfully integrate into the community and go on to lead successful healthy lives both whilst living at Palm Cove Society and in their life beyond.

**Working Environment**

It is a requirement that the post holder can work independently in both an office and community setting. The post holder needs to be aware of and adhere to security procedures to facilitate effective risk management strategies that ensure the safety of self and others. A substantial part of a working week will be spent off site, visiting clients in their own accommodation and therefore it is essential that OSAWs adhere to PCSs personal safety and lone working policies.

OAWs may be exposed to highly sensitive and confidential information, which has the potential to be distressing and traumatic for both self and other members of staff. They therefore require the ability to be reflective regarding practice and to engage in relevant team meetings, and where appropriate access support and supervision from senior members of staff in order to look after their own wellbeing.

The role requires the ability to sit and concentrate for prolonged periods to undertake necessary research, preparation and administrative work in order to support clients effectively. The role includes lone working, and working from remote location in between meetings.

The post holder is also required to be pro-active in developing professional networks and links with relevant external statutory and non-government organisations (NGO’s).

**Person Specification**

**Education**:
Good verbal and written command of the English.

GCSE’s A* to C in Maths and English or equivalent a relevant degree.

The ability to speak another language is desirable put not essential

Essential Knowledge & Experience:
Ability to plan and prioritise own workload.

Basic knowledge of risk/needs assessment and support planning

Demonstrate an awareness of safe practice when lone Planning working

Experience of:

- Working with a vulnerable client group. E.g. asylum seekers and refugees
- Partnership / multi
- agency working
- Working autonomously
- Prioritising workload
- Working with confidential information

Understanding of difficulties experienced by:

- Asylum, refugees and migrants
- Individuals fleeing domestic abuse
- Victims of modern slavery and trafficking
- Individuals fleeing forced marriage or honour based violence
- Unaccompanied asylum seekers leaving the care service

Desirable knowledge & experience

Knowledge & understanding of:

- The criminal justice system, immigration law, safeguarding adults and children and the legal responsibilities linked to these.
- A trauma informed approach
- National and local policies surrounding modern slavery, the asylum process and issues in relation to migrants, refugees and asylum seekers

Experience of working with:

- Individuals with challenging behaviours, additions or mental health problems.
- Individuals who have established health inequalities
- In a multi-agency/ multi-disciplinary environment.
- Victims of modern s